Donate Shop Find a Base Call for Help Now

NSRI EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE (EOC)

087 094 9774
Ian Gray, NSRI Port Elizabeth station commander, said: 'At 14h10 (Sunday, 25th March) NSRI Port Elizabeth crew were activated following reports of a man missing after falling from a boat on the Sunday River near Port Elizabeth.'It appears that the boat had been pulling a waterskier and during a tight turn a 34 year old local man had fallen out of the boat and had disappeared under water.'Our NSRI Port Elizabeth crew towed a sea rescue boat to the scene which was launched on arrival on-scene (the Sea Rescue boat had been diverted from the Blue Water Bay incident that was going on at the same time) and the SA Police Force, a Police Dive Unit and Coastal Rescue responded.'An extensive search from our Sea Rescue craft and Coastal Rescue rescue swimmers free diving and a Police Dive Unit scuba diving has revealed no sign of the missing man.'A Police dive unit will continue a search and the Police have opened an inquest docket.'UPDATE :The body of a 35 year old Lesley Vermaak of Port Elizabeth has been recovered from the Sunday River by Police Divers and handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.The boat and those onboard were apparently not pulling a water-skier but were reportedly in a tight turn on the water when Mr. Vermaak reportedly fell out of the boat and disappeared.
Next Article

Surfers injured at JBay and Dolphin helped at St Francis

Read More

You may also like

Whats App Image 2026 08 20 at 16 24 20 2
NEWS  | Published: 20 August 2026

NSRI rescue vessel Spirit of Ubuntu arrives at her new home in Hout Bay

The National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) newest Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC), Spirit of Ubuntu, has completed her journey from Table Bay and arrived at her new home at NSRI Station 8 Hout Bay yesterday, 19 August 2026. ...

Whats App Image 2026 08 16 at 08 41 37
RESCUES  | Published: 16 August 2026

NSRI Gqeberha: A dog rescued

Dog rescued after being swept 200 metres out to sea off Pollock Beach, Gqeberha ...

Whats App Image 2026 08 16 at 07 59 25
 | Published: 16 August 2026

NSRI Honours Grootdraai Dam Rescue, Wilderness Surfers’ Bravery, and 55 Years of Service at 59th Awards Ceremony and Annual General Meeting

NSRI Honours Grootdraai Dam Rescue, Wilderness Surfer's Bravery, and 55 Years of Service at 59th Awards Ceremony and Annual General Meeting ...